Queen Elizabeth outlines U.K. government agenda
LONDON — Weakened by a disastrous election, British Prime Minister Theresa May ditched some of her most controversial campaign pledges and suggested she was willing to soften her approach to leaving the European Union as Queen Elizabeth II delivered the government’s legislative agenda to Parliament on Wednesday.
“My government’s priority is to secure the best possible deal as the country leaves the European Union,” said a statement from Ms. May’s government that was read by Queen Elizabeth as she formally opened a new session of Parliament.
The focus on Brexit was clear as eight of 27 bills outlined in the opening of Parliament — known as the Queen’s Speech — dealt with the technicalities of ending Britain’s membership in the EU.
The prime minister, in comments delivered after the speech, promised to work with “humility and resolve” to overcome the divisions in Britain.
“We will do what is in the national interest and we will work with anyone in any party that is prepared to do the same,” she said.
Ms. May called the June 8 snap election expecting an overwhelming victory that would silence dissenters and give her a mandate to push ahead with plans to leave the European Customs Union and drastically limit immigration. Instead, Ms. May lost her majority as many voters shunned the government’s approach to Brexit and rebelled against seven years of austerity.
Ms. May slimmed down her legislative program, omitting several policies touted during the Conservative Party’s election campaign, including plans to change funding for the care of older people, which opponents dubbed the “dementia tax.” Also missing were plans to end free school lunches for the youngest children and limit winter fuel payments for the elderly only to those on low incomes.
Signaling the importance of Brexit negotiations with the EU, set to continue until the spring of 2019, the speech set out the government’s program for two years, rather than one.
After a string of tragedies in Britain — four terrorist attacks in three months, and a devastating fire in London — protesters took to the streets of London for a “Day of Rage.” Ms. May also acknowledged government failings in helping victims of the massive fire in the west London tower block June 14.
Opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn denounced the speech, arguing that Ms. May had delivered a “threadbare” program devoid of new ideas.
The Queen’s Speech will be debated over the next few days before it’s put to a vote, expected next Thursday.
The 91-year-old Queen Elizabeth II went ahead with the ceremonial opening of Parliament despite the announcement that her husband, Prince Philip, was in the hospital. Buckingham Palace said Prince Philip, 96, was hospitalized as a precaution for treatment of an infection.